Star Wars will not digitally recreate Carrie Fisher for next film

A digital recreation of Carrie Fisher will not be used in the next Star Wars film, Lucasfilm announced on Friday.

“We don’t normally respond to fan or press speculation, but there is a rumor circulating that we would like to address,” read a statement posted on the official Star Wars website. “We want to assure our fans that Lucasfilm has no plans to digitally recreate Carrie Fisher’s performance as Princess or General Leia Organa.”

This week, online speculation suggested Lucasfilm could potentially use digital technology to bring Fisher’s Leia back for Star Wars: Episode IX — much in the same way young Princess Leia and Grand Moff Tarkin (the late Peter Cushing) were brought to the screen in December’s Rogue One.

“Carrie Fisher was, is, and always will be a part of the Lucasfilm family,” continued the statement. “She was our princess, our general, and more importantly, our friend. We are still hurting from her loss. We cherish her memory and legacy as Princess Leia, and will always strive to honor everything she gave to Star Wars.”

EW previously reported that Fisher’s death will spell some changes for Colin Trevorrow’s Episode IX, which is still being written.